The benefits of steel studs over the traditional wood studs are significant: they have a lighter weight, they are perfectly straight and have a good resistance over time. In addition, taking into consideration our experience in this area, we consider that in most cases metal stud framing is a better choice. As strange as it might sound, in western Europe this technology is used in virtually any domestic project, so you can imagine there are few drawbacks coming with this approach.
Nevertheless, we wouldn’t recommend you using regular metal studs, if you are going to install heavy cabinets, mirrors or chandeliers; in this case you could go for solid wood studs or for heavier gauge metal framing, which come unfortunately at a greater cost. Irrespective of your choice, you will find in this step by step article all necessarily instructions to install a metal stud ceiling by yourself.
Framing a metal stud ceiling is not difficult if you buy the right materials for your needs and use the right techniques. Work with great care and make sure you place the folding stair on a sturdy surface, otherwise you risk injuring yourself. If you don’t have any experience in the field, it would be better to leave this project to a team of qualified professionals. Last but not least, we recommend you to check out the rest of our how to projects if you want to get the best home improvement tips.
Materials
- Metal studs and tracks
- Screws
- Accessories (metal brackets for fastening the metal studs)
- Sandpaper
Tools
- Safety gloves, safety glasses
- Measurement tape
- Carpenter pencil
- Drill machinery with hammering function
- Electric screwdriver
- Hammer, metal scissor, ladder
Tips
- Use a laser level to make sure the ceiling will be perfectly leveled
- Use safety glasses and gloves
How to install the metal studs
The first and most important step of the project is to set a straight level line around the room, at the specific height you want to install the metal stud ceiling frame. There are several alternatives of doing this thing, so you can choose the most convenient one. On one hand, you can use a laser level, which represents the best option in terms of reliability, but this might come at high cost for diy-ers. Just set the laser straight and then mark the contour line of the room. As well you could use a water level, to make a few marks, and then a straight line, to draw the contour.
On the other hand, you can use a water level and make marks around the corners of the room. Then, you should use a caulk line to draw the guidance lines around the ceiling. It is more than obvious that this approach takes more time, but it is equally effective and comes at a lower cost. Nevertheless, of your choice, jut make sure the contour line is leveled so you can build a cheap and simple metal stud ceiling frame.
After we have drawn the contour, we have proceeded to the installation of the first metal track. You should always start with the longest wall of the room. In order to do that, we have drilled holes through the metal track in the supporting wall, made of bricks.
Afterwards, we have locked the metal track with screws and dowels. If we had dealt with a timber frame, then it would have been possible to screw the metal track directly in the studs, without pilot holes. The most important aspect is to install the track perfectly straight, otherwise you will get a curved ceiling.
Next, we have continued installing the metal track around all the walls using the same technique. The metal track must be fixed in screws every 15”/40 cm.
It is essential to secure firmly the metal track in the walls, as it will support the metal studs, and eventually the drywall ceiling. For concrete walls use one and a half inch screws and appropriate dowels, as for wood walls use one inch wood screws.
This is how the metal track should look after it has been secured with screws.
Note that there might be small gaps between the metal profiles and the wall, if the latter is not perfectly straight, but you shouldn’t be worried unless the gaps are relatively large (over half an inch), in which case you should straighten the wall first. When securing the metal track, make sure you are choosing only the best pieces you can get, as you shouldn’t choose deteriorated ones.
The next step is to complete the frame on the longest walls of the room, by fixing the rest of the metal track. Most probably you will have to adjust the length of the metal studs, so it is the time to make a cut using a measuring tape (to mark the right dimension) and metal scissors.
The cuts should be made as precise as possible, making sure the edges are straight. Use safety gloves, to avoid injuring yourself in the sharp edges.
After we had finished installing the metal tracks alongside the longest walls, we continued securing the rest of the perimeter. Notice that around corners, you should install a L-shaped metal track.
In order to create the L-shaped metal track, we used tin snips to cut the metal studs flanges . Consequently, at any corner of the room, the metal tracks should overlap each other at least 15”/40 cm; the new piece of metal should be placed in the channel of the installed metal track. Use screws to secure the frame.
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